Employment Specialist

Job Title: Employment/Career Specialist

Job Code: SSP091

Pay Grade: G

Salary: $50,000

The Employment/Career Specialist is a role within the Walking the Last Mile program this is responsible for providing workforce activities that lead to employment and direct job placement for program participants and follow-up retention services to support participants’ continued employment. The Employment Specialist provides individual assistance with linking participants to employers and job retention skills. The Employment Specialist also engages employers and industry partners to support participants' advancement along a career pathway and also secures and identifies opportunities for employment in identified communities. The Employment Specialist works with Case Managers to develop targeted job opportunities using labor market information and targets jobs based on participants’ career pathways and occupational skill training tracks specified in their IDPs. The Employment Specialist works with Case Managers and program participants to address problems participants experience in the workplace and help them find constructive solutions to those issues.  In addition, the Employment Specialist assists with employment data collection and federal reporting as required by the Pathways Home 5 grant.

GDOL strongly encourages formerly incarcerated, or people impacted by incarceration to apply

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Uses a battery of pertinent assessments to evaluate and prepare program participants for essential skill development and permanent job placement.

Meets with participants regularly, both before and after their release from custody, to provide career counseling leading to employment and training leading to certifications, promotions, and continuous professional development.

With program participants, co-creates individualized resumes and cover letters to prepare them for applying for jobs.

Assists participants with creating a one-year career roadmap to guide their education, training, and work search both pre-release and post-release.

Assists participant with creating and improving LinkedIn profiles to enhance their online presence for future employers, including providing headshots, best practices, and general social media training.

Learns and continues education on navigating barriers to careers in Georgia for justice impacted individuals.

Develops and maintains partnerships with community-based organizations to be aware of what certificates, degrees, and professional development they seek in future candidates.

Plans and carries out networking events, job fairs, and professional development workshops for participants and employers both inside and outside of identified prison facilities.

Assesses participants’ training readiness and makes recommendations documenting and concerns or potential barriers to success.

Inputs accurate and up to date data in appropriate formats for attendance at events, career counseling, career placement, and other grant-required performance measures.

Analyzes and reports on grant performance measures as required by the US Department of Labor.

Responsible for providing internal quality assurance and compliance for the program.

Working with Program Manager to ensure consistent reporting, data gathering, and key metrics tracking for Quarterly reporting.

Assists inmates on job interviews techniques, writing resumes, and job search techniques prior to release.

Additional duties as assigned within the scope of the role. 

Required Qualifications:

High school diploma/GED and three (3) years of job-related experience

OR

One (1) year of experience at the lower-level Employment Services Specialist 1 (SSP090) or position equivalent.

Any other combination of education and professional experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the job.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelors’ degree or equivalent combination of training and experience in a social services delivery field.

Experience working with diverse populations and/or justice impacted individuals.

Prior knowledge of employment related barriers for justice involved individuals.

Ability to work both in a correctional facility environment and in a traditional office environment.

Demonstrated ability to develop solutions in partnership with colleagues, program participants and relevant stakeholders.

Pre-existing connections to community-based organizations and an understanding of the importance of networking.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an environment that requires both.

Flexibility, dependability; and adaptability.

Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.

Experience with data entry and proficiency with Microsoft Word Suite.

Excellent customer service skills.

A people-centered focus and drive for success.

Skills/Abilities:

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills

Ability to work across a diverse population

Why You Should Apply?

The Georgia Department of Labor offers a generous benefits package, which includes:

Pay and Recognition:

Semi-monthly pay

13 paid holidays

10 hours paid Annual and Sick leave each month (15 days/yr.). The amount of annual leave increases after 5 years (12 hrs./month or 18 days/yr.) and 10 years (14 hrs./month or 21 days/yr.) of service.

Insurance/Retirement:

Insurance: health, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, and critical illness

Health savings and childcare spending account

Short-term and Long-term disability plans

ERS Pension/401(K)/457 Retirement Plans 

Additional Benefits:

Legal

Employee Assistance Program

Student Loan Relief and Assistance

Discounts

Credit Union

Additional Information

Because of the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification. This posting may close at any time prior to the posted close date, once a suitable applicant pool is identified.

The hiring process may involve one or more of the following: an interview and a written exercise. If there is a need for a reasonable accommodation during the hiring process, please advise the hiring manager. 

All decisions concerning the employment relationship for qualified applicants will be made without regard to age, race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, the presence of any physical or mental disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Discrimination or harassment based upon any of these factors is wholly inconsistent with the Georgia Department of Labor values and will not be tolerated. Furthermore, such discrimination or harassment may violate federal, state, or local law.

Please complete the application in its entirety. Your attached resume does not replace an incomplete work experience submission.